“Kuma is a handful,” Gulati said. “We started bringing her in when she was just 6 months old. She has a ton of energy. Charlie told me how to build our relationship, how to get that energy out. She’s doing so much better!
The day I visited, the park rang with cries of “Sit down!” “Stay!” “Relax!” “Boooooooo boy! DiBono, who is clearly the alpha dog, gave directions and offered advice to each canine pair, one by one. Communication and engagement were on all fours.
DiBono owns Body and mind K9, a canine behavior training company that is as much about training humans as it is about dogs. Body and Mind was founded in mid-2022 and offers several levels and types of dog training. DiBono also has extensive experience in canine nutrition, which he shares with his clients.
Behavior classes differ from traditional obedience training in that they focus more on teaching humans and dogs how to perform basic life tasks rather than responding to specific commands. Every dog is different, just like every human companion.
“Owning a dog in the city can be difficult for both the owner and the dog,” DiBono said. “I want to show people how much fun training their dogs can be and how to incorporate it into their daily lives.
Park classes are for owners who are beginning to understand how to properly communicate and live with their dogs. The class is an ever-evolving program – we discuss everything from essential obedience to general health, nutrition and best practices. I adapt it to the dogs in the class that day and to the needs of the owners.
DiBono has worked with dogs for over 10 years and has trained them professionally for three years. His mother owned a dog grooming business in northern California, where he spent most of his childhood.
“I grew up with dogs and in the pet industry all my life,” he said.
Community Revitalization Organization Studio One Eleven hired DiBono a few months ago on a temporary basis to provide local residents with free classes to train their dogs. The program is supported by the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine. The classes are part of a project to support individual practitioners who might bring unique offerings to the park, said Sinead Finnerty-Pyne, Studio One’s director of marketing and special projects. The lessons have proven so popular that the organization is continuing the classes indefinitely.
“The stars aligned when we met Charle,” Finnerty-Pyne said. “He offers a well-rounded, holistic approach, so we knew he would be a perfect fit.”
Sessions are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in Lincoln Park from approximately noon to 1 p.m. – class is canceled if it rains. Dogs present must be kept on a solid leash and humans must provide plenty of treats and water. Aggressive and highly reactive dogs should not participate, although DiBono encourages their humans to contact him for advice and resources.
Attendance is limited to eight dogs per session, but 10 of them were hanging out when I walked in.
“We try to say eight to kind of keep it on the lower end, but I don’t turn people down,” DiBono said.
DiBono also advises humans on their dogs’ nutrition. Sophia Delvalle’s sweet Boston bull terrier, Hamlet, has stomach issues and needs to adjust to his diet.
“I actually had emergencies that Charlie helped me with,” Delvalle said. “It’s been a journey, and he’s helped me every step of the way.”
Most participants come to every class. Describing a typical lesson is out of place as there is no such thing. The lessons are taught individually according to the needs and level of behavior of each human couple. They can include leash training, controlling overactive dogs, and managing responsiveness to people and other dogs. No one can guess how DiBono caters to everyone’s needs, but he said dogs are his buddies and he knows them like you would know a human friend and their troubles. He’s completely responsible, but his way is easy going and carries over to humans.
“I like that it’s a person and a dog so they don’t get pressured,” DiBono said. “We don’t want pressure – we have no expectations, because that’s what allows a human and a dog to learn and grow faster.”
DiBono said he was impressed with the growing sub-community around dogs. Dates between participants are common, and not just for dogs. Humans have planned Super Bowl parties and happy hours and are leaving the “kids” at home. Even better, all the participants I met said that thanks to the lessons, the behavior of their dogs continually improved.
“Oh my God, yes it does!” says Gulati. “It helped Kuma be a bit calmer, it helped our relationship and it helped me train him better. That’s the most important thing.
Free behavior classes are held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from noon to approximately 1 p.m. at Lincoln Dog Park, 101 Pacific Ave., Long Beach. No appointment necessary, just register!
Practically pets
For the first time in several years, healthy dogs at Long Beach Animal Care Services will likely be euthanized for space, as described in a recent Long Beach Post article. It is heartbreaking for the staff and volunteers at the shelter who know that the animals did not deserve to be left there, for whatever reason. As one volunteer said, for every person who leaves, two more enter.
LBACS isn’t the only shelter in crisis, and stemming situations like this requires more than adoption and placement. But at the moment they will certainly help you and free up space. More importantly, it will provide these dogs with what they deserved in the first place and weren’t given: a loving home to stay in for the rest of their natural lives. Eto post [email protected] adopt, or access this link to find out how to promote.
Not that we want to bribe you, but the Los Angeles Angels are offering four spots to their March 19 games for every big dog adopted!
Linda and another dog had been tied to the main entrance to the shelter and were found by two Long Beach animal control officers in the middle of an August night. The other dog has since been adopted, but Linda has been at the shelter for nearly a year, and that’s no accident for such a sweet and friendly girl.
The captain arrived in January with two other dogs due to an abrupt surrender by the owner when the family moved and could not bring the dogs. The Captain was shy and submissive when he arrived and had to be co-housed with one of the two other dogs he arrived with due to lack of kennel space. It has since come out of its shell and is a favorite of staff and volunteers. The captain would do better in a quiet environment without small children.
Bruce, 3, is a gentle sweetheart who enjoys spending time with people and is comfortable around other respectable dogs. Bruce arrived with a severe ear infection and severe alopecia with missing hair on his back and base of his tail, but all healed well with treatment and just needs ongoing maintenance once someone gets better. chose this guy to be his “Almighty Bruce”!
Long Beach Animal Care Services volunteer Jo Ellen’s big smile shows the love she feels for Griffin. If you’re a veteran, you can bring Griffin home and pay no adoption fees, not just on Veterans Day, but any day you can make an appointment!
Rescue List
If you’ve always wanted a pet, but aren’t sure if you’re ready for a lifetime commitment (the pet), or if you’re past the time of roommates for some reason, the Foster care can be a great solution. , especially with one or more of the kittens popping up during kitten season. Each of the organizations listed below is in desperate need of foster families who will socialize them and help save their little lives. Who knows, maybe one of these lifetimes will change your mind about not being ready for a roommate!
These non-profit organizations also regularly offer cat, dog and rabbit adoptions. Now, adoptions are mostly by appointment. Click on the links for each rescue in case of updates or changes. These organizations operate on donations and grants, and anything you can give would be appreciated. Please suggest rescues in the Long Beach area to add to the list. Keep in mind that rescues are self-sustaining and need donations and volunteer help. Most of them cannot accept found or unwanted animals. Contact Long Beach Animal Care Services for options.
Ally Animal Network
bunny bouquet
Cat’s Cove
Animal Friends of Long Beach
Repair Long Beach
Good feline social club
Orange County German Shepherd Rescue
Helen Sanders
Ho’ola Dog Rescue
House of Broken Cookies
Jellicle Cats Foundation
K-9 Kismet
Little Lion Foundation
Love Animal Rescue Live
Long Beach Animal Care Services
Long Beach Spay and Neuter Foundation
Newborn feline rescue
Pet Food Express Cat Adoption Center
Korean pug rescue
SAFE Rescue Team
Seal Beach Animal Care Center
Sparky and the Animal Rescue Gang
SPCALA
Stray Cats Alliance
Wrigley kittens
Zazzy Cats